Page 12 of Kane: One Night with a Biker

11

KANE

The next few days passed in a whirlwind of afternoons spent exploring the ports of call and nights spent exploring each other’s bodies. We didn’t have to pretend we were into each other to convince her co-workers we were a couple. Being with Abilene came so naturally. It was like she’d become a part of me the moment I claimed her body with mine. I could barely remember what a sad sack of shit I’d been before I let her in.

I didn’t want to remember.

She was sunshine and happiness and everything good. For the first time in my life I started to think that maybe there was more to me than the darkness I’d inherited from my dad. Maybe Iwascapable of letting someone in. Maybe I could love and be loved.

Even Judd backed off when he saw us together. It might have had more to do with the threats I muttered under my breath when I sat next to him at dinner the second night than him accepting the fact that Abilene was with me. I told him if he ever made another move on her it would be the last time he had the balls to come onto to a lady. He took me at my word and steered clear of us every time we saw him.

Tonight was the last night of our vacation, and I couldn’t wait to see Abilene get her award. I’d just slipped into the suit Devin had picked out for me and was adjusting my tie in the mirror hanging on the wardrobe when she stepped out of the bathroom.

The sight of her stole my breath. She was a vision in a peach-colored floor length dress. Her hair piled on top of her head, leaving her neck bare. She possessed the kind of beauty that didn’t need makeup, but she’d done up her eyes in a sparkly shadow and had put something glossy on her lips that matched the color of her dress.

“Well, what do you think?” She executed a slow spin in the cramped cabin.

My fingers itched to pull her into my arms and capture her mouth with mine, but I didn’t want to mess up her dress or her makeup. “I think you look amazing. Stunning. Incredible.”

Her cheeks flushed. “You don’t look too bad yourself.”

“I guess even a grease monkey can clean up pretty well, huh?” I felt like a million bucks in my suit. The hungry look in Abilene’s eyes as her gaze raked over me was worth the small fortune it cost.

“You’re so much more than a grease monkey. Haven’t I shown you that by now?” She gripped my silk tie in both of her hands and pulled me close for a kiss.

I gently held her in my arms as I lazily explored her mouth with my tongue. There would be plenty of time for us to get our fill of each other later, after my girl accepted her award and showed up all of those assholes who doubted her.

“Ready for your big night?” I asked.

She wiped her smeared lip gloss away as she smiled up at me. “I’m more excited about getting you back here so we can celebrate after.”

I was afraid I’d created a bit of a sex addict in Abilene though I wasn’t complaining. Since the first time I’d taken her, she’d become insatiable. I wondered how I’d be able to get any work done when we got back to Broken Bend. Thinking about getting back to normal life would only put a damper on the evening. I pushed the thought out of my head and vowed to enjoy the time we had left.

“Come on, little bird. We don’t want to be late.” I shrugged on my suit jacket while she fixed her lips. Then I held her hand as we made our way to the private dining room where her company was holding their awards dinner.

I suffered through the small talk over surf and turf and clapped the loudest when the owner of the company called Abilene’s name. She walked to the front of the room and smiled while they snapped pictures of her accepting the crystal award with her name inscribed as Salesperson of the Year. It was the first time a woman had won, and they’d had to change the title from Salesman of the Year—a long overdue update.

She stood by my side after as her co-workers came by to congratulate her. I even overheard the owner of the company mutter something about her getting that promotion to regional sales manager when she got back into the office. Her smile shone so brightly it could have blinded me if I hadn’t already been star-struck since day one.

Finally, after hours of celebrating, we escaped to the privacy of our cabin. Success agreed with Abilene. She shed any inhibitions she’d been holding onto and gave herself to me in every way possible before the ship docked in Galveston. For the first time in my thirty-plus years I felt completely intertwined with another soul.

The ridiculous idea that we didn’t belong together had been chased away by her kisses, shattered by the sweet promises of forever she whispered in my ear, and dashed by the way she proved her love to me with every part of her body, mind, and soul.

As dawn broke outside of our small, round window, I cradled her in my arms. “I love you, Abilene. No matter what the future holds, I want to share it with you.”

She glanced up at me, her lower lids brimming with unshed tears. “I love you, too. We’re going to be so happy, Kane. You’ll see, we’re going to have a great life together.”

I closed my eyes, at peace for the very first time.

12

KANE

My peace lasted for thirty-six hours. A day and half of post-vacation bliss with the woman who held my heart in her hands. Then I got a call that changed everything.

We were at Mama Mae’s for Sunday night dinner. A few of my brothers had shown up, some of them with their girlfriends in tow. I’d brought Abilene over to introduce her to everyone. Mama Mae was overjoyed to learn I’d finally gotten my head out of my ass and realized I deserved to find happiness.

My phone rang as we were finishing dessert. I recognized the number as belonging to the county, but couldn’t think of a reason they’d be calling, especially on a Sunday night.

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